Setting up your console for the first time

Once your physical setup is complete, you’ll need to begin the digital setup. After connecting your console to your home network, the next step is to update your system. If the Xbox Live service is currently experiencing an outage, you won’t be able to update your console through the standard process.

Updating your console during an Xbox Live outage

If you want to continue the digital setup and update your console while it's offline, you can update using the Offline System Update Diagnostic Tool. You'll need a Windows-based PC and a 4GB USB flash drive to complete these steps.

Note You can use the Offline System Update Diagnostic Tool to update your console while you wait for the service to be restored, but you'll still need to connect to Xbox Live at least once to create an Xbox Live profile so that you can start playing games.

Once the update is complete, you'll be able to continue the digital setup, but you won’t be able to sign in until the service is restored. You can make the most of the wait time by installing your disc-based games to your console.

Install your disc-based games

A 30GB game will take an average of 30 minutes to install from the disc to the hard disk drive (time will vary based on game size and internal vs. external hard drive), so this can be a good use of your time while you wait for the Xbox Live service to be restored. Many games will need a “day one” update that can’t be completed without connecting to Xbox Live, but during an outage you can complete the initial install as well as play the game in offline mode, as long as you've already downloaded at least one profile.